Smart car sales continue to rise despite economic turndown.
Despite a decline in the market Smart cars have continued to be a success story this year by being one of the few vehicles to enjoy a solid September as sales in new cars suffered a major slump.
Normally the month of September is especially good because of the new plate changes, however with the global financial crisis people are limiting their spending. In the face of this Smart cars have continued to see its sales increase.
The small, eco-friendly vehicle saw sales improve by almost ten per cent on last September while witnessing a 78 per cent improvement in the year to date.
In comparison with last year, sales in smart are up 101.9 per cent, with 5,929 vehicles sold in the UK in 2008, a stark rise on the 2940, sold at this stage last year.
“Along with the new-generation smart fortwo electric drive, we also presented the first hybrid production car from Mercedes-Benz in September,” said Dr Klaus Maier, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Mercedes-Benz Cars.
One of the leading traits of the smart car is that it is short enough to achieve nose-in parking, allowing two or three of the vehicles to fit into a space generally taken up by one car.
One of the leading smart vehicles is the Smart Fortwo, which recently surpassed sales figures of 100,000 units. (Source: Smart News)
For more information on how to lease a Smart car then please folow the link below:
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Posted on October 13th, 2008 under Latest Car News.
Nissan trial new CARWINGS system in Hokkaido, Japan.
Always at the forefront of technical design Nissan are developing a new system called CARWINGS. Like a guardian angel it is designed to watch put for you and warn you of potential dangers of the road ahead, well before you’re there.
The CARWINGS system is set to work in two fundamental ways: one is the slip hazards alert, and the other a real-time road cam service.
The Slip-Hazard Alerts will predict the future and tell drivers to beware if there is a potential slip hazard up ahead. The on-board computer system stores a map of the area and warns drivers of potential slip hazards in relation to its current proximity. By visual and then voice commands it is hoped that this will allow drivers toslow down safely in advance.
It works by an amalgamation of various data sources from its own memory and recently updated info. The map includes areas of known slip hazards and also a clever calculation of potential problems in certain weather conditions. In addition to this, the cars own ABS feedsback data which is then uploaded to CARWING data points along teh road. As others pass these points the data is shared and increased allowing up-to-date information.
Using this information it also builds up a cumulative data of skid incidents over previous years and makes predicitongs based on this.
The real time road cam service is provided in conjunction with the Civil Engineering Research Institute for Cold Regions (CERI). This network of information includes real-time pictures of dangerous mountain passes in the Hokkaido region, where weather conditions tend to be severe.
These images are updated every 15 mins and are passed onto cars using the CARWINGS system.
Beginning trials this November and going on to December the CARWINGS system will be put into 100 test vehicles around Sapporo City in Hokkaido, Japan. Don’t expect to see these in a Halfords near you anytime soon.
For more information on how to lease a Nissan then please follow this link:
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Posted on October 13th, 2008 under Latest Car News.
Swinton Insurance warn of podestrians, people using MP3 players.
Driving on the roads these days can be a hazardous experience. The British traffic network is becoming more and more crowded by the day and with pedestrians included it can be a difficult ask to get through a built up urban area.
Now Swinton Insurance have warned that there is another danger which is a product of the modern day, ‘podestrians’. Initially I thought it may be a warning sent out by a bad speller but it is a new term for people who are walking while listening to MP3 players.
It appears that these people are becoming an increasing hazard to motorist as they are less aware of their surroundings and tend to behave less cautiously. The problem is compounded when they use mobile phones to text and then become almost oblivious to the dangers on the road. Without looking properly podestrians have been known to walk into the road without taking proper care.
Steve Chelton, Insurer Development Manager, for Swinton Insurance said: “People have enjoyed listening to music on foot ever since the first Walkmans were introduced in the late 1970s, but thirty years on there seems to be a rising number of pedestrians who are isolated from traffic noise. This is often due to them having the volume too high, or through the use of headphones with noise cancelling technology.
“This isn’t so much of a problem at major junctions, where traffic lights and crossings give visual guidance for when it’s safe to cross, but on quieter roads ‘podestrians’ can lead to drivers having to suddenly slam on their brakes.
“But when an absence of vehicle noise is combined with the visual distraction of texting you end up with a podestrian that’s even more ignorant to oncoming traffic. This greatly increases the likelihood of them causing an accident. ”
The insurance company suggest that motorists should be extra vigilant to people using these kinds of media and anticipate unlikely behaviour at junctions where traffic flow is not controlled by lights or other clear signals.
Posted on October 11th, 2008 under Latest Car News.
The new Ford Fiesta is released on sale in the UK at a Tango show at the Tower of London.
Recently, two of the first new Fiesta models that arrived in the UK were driven into London for a special promotional display. Specially trained stunt drivers, including international stunt driver Paul Swift, drove a Squeeze Green and Hot Magenta models to a choreographed Tango dance by celebrity choreographer Paul Harris
The Tango, an athletic, agile dance created in the steamy streets of Buenos Aires, is the inspiration of the new Fiesta model and is a perfect example to show it off. The Fiesta fiesta took place in the pleasant surrounding of the Tower of London.
Celebrity dancer and former cricketer mark Ramprakash and Tango troupes from across London joined in the party creating an electric atmosphere. After the event on the 1st of October the exciting new car went on general sale across the UK.
Hosting the party was Ford of Britain’s chairman and managing director, Roelant de Waard, who said: “We created the new Fiesta with a real passion and we’re confident that it’s the car the nation is about to fall in love with and so what better way to launch it than with the classic dance of love – the Tango!”
The all new Ford Fiesta is not just the most dramatic and distinctive Fiesta ever, it also marks a significant landmark, in Ford’s history. Since the very first Fiesta was launched in 1976, over 3.4million have been sold in the UK, proving the enduring popularity of the model’s style, efficiency and value for money. (Source: Ford Vehicle News)
For more information on how to lease a new Ford Fiesta, starting from just £119.95 per month, please follow this link:
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Posted on October 10th, 2008 under Latest Car News.
Citroen commercial vans win another award, GreenFleet LCV Manufacturer of the Year 2008.
Citroen’s commercial van fleet are on fire at the moment. Just days after the compact Citroen Nemo won International Van of the Year 2008 Citroen picks up another prestigious commercial van award.
This time Citroen has been rewarded on a whole for its entire fleet of commercial vehicles in the prestigious GreenFleet LCV Manufacturer of the Year Award 2008. This was awarded for the companies ongoing commitment to improving the environmental credentials of its commercial vehicle fleet. Thier new HDi diesel range are regarded as the pinnacle of fuel efficient, low emission, performance engines.
Citroën is also expanding the availability of clean, efficient, Powershift Band 4, London Congestion Charge-exempt, Dual Fuel (petrol/LPG) vans. Now Dual Fuel Berlingo First and Nemo vans are available in Citroën’s ‘Ready to Run’ programme at competitive prices - with Dual Fuel new Berlingo vans available in the very near future.
Martin Freedman, GreenFleet magazine publisher comments, “The GreenFleet LCV Manufacturer of the Year award recognises Citroën’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its LCVs. The company’s LCV product upgrade programme offers major environmental benefits.”
In an incredible gesture to its customers Citroen have also fitted its Trafficmaster Smartnav satellite navigation system featuring Dynamic Traffic Managment to nearly all its enire LCV fleet as standard. This helps users plan a journey from A to B using the most fuel efficient route
Dynamic Traffic Management constantly re-evaluates the optimum routing and automatically redirects the driver as necessary, should traffic conditions change. Trafficmaster’s environmental role was also recognised in the Greenfleet awards, with its success as GreenFleet IT Product of the Year.
Citroën has also recently introduced its new LCV Airdream programme, reflecting the company’s pro-active approach to minimising the environmental impact of its LCVs. Customers can be assured that all Citroën LCVs carrying the Airdream logo meet demanding environmental criteria. (Source: Citroen UK)
For more information on how leasing a commercial van from Citroen then please follow this link:
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Posted on October 10th, 2008 under Latest Car News.
Lotus re-launch the Exige with significant weight reductions.
Following the launch of the fantastic Lotus Evora the Norfolk based company are improving their existing portfolio with a new twist on the Lotus Exige.
With ideas taken straight from the 2008 Lotus Exige Cup Car this new road vehicle makes use of some of the most advanced lightweight components and carbon fibre body materials. In further efforts to reduce weight many components have been slimmed down equating to a reduction of weight by 38kg, maiing the total mass less than 900kg.
The original power unit has stayed the same, still kicking out 257 bhp but with the above reductions it significantly improves the torque to weight ratio making for a much more dynamic drive. The new model means that this car is now more than capable of takling Europes most challenging race circuits just as the Exige Cup 260 proved this year.
Despite being focused on the race element of driving this car is built for the road and is fully complient for markets in Europe and key areas in Asia. The Lotus Exige Cup 260 is also eligible to compete in the newly announced 2009 Lotus Cup Europe race series organized and run by LoTRDC.
The Exige Cup 260 exploits the Lotus philosophy of using weight reduction to increase performance and reduce emissions.
Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive of Group Lotus commented, “Lotus is now recognised globally as one of the leaders in the green automotive revolution. Colin Chapman, the founder of Lotus is attributed as saying “Adding power makes you faster on the straights; adding lightness makes you faster everywhere” and this statement is more relevant today than it ever has been, as decreasing weight increases the car’s performance and most importantly efficiency.” (Source: Lotus Media)
Posted on October 9th, 2008 under Latest Car News.
The DVLA now have more power to clamp vehicles evading car tax.
From the 1st of October the DVLA now have even more authority to clamp your vehicle if you’re not paying your car tax.
From the start of this month the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and the Drivers and Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland now have the power to penalise untaxed cars parked off the public road.
This is yet another strong messge from the government that you should tax your vehicle or declare it off the road or suffer the consequences.
The reason for the new change in laws is due to statistics that over 150,000 cars were being parked in local authority car parks, which were previously safe havens from the vehicle clampers. These vehicles were evading Vehicle Exice Duty (VED) and were likely to be used on public roads.
The new powers, however, do not extend to private dwellings such as driveways, areas associated with houses or commercial premises, such as motor traders.
Before any action can be carried out off the oublic highway enforcment practitioners must be licensed under the Private Security Industry Act 2001. DVLA’s national wheel clamping contractor (NCP Services) is in the process of obtaining necessary licences from the Security Industry Authority (SIA). No off road enforcement will commence in England and Wales until licences are in place. There is currently no requirement to licence in Northern Ireland or Scotland.
DVLA operates a fleet of clamping vans equipped with Automated Number Plate Recognition equipment operating across the UK. In 2007/08 they clamped over 100,000 untaxed vehicles. In addition the Agency has a number of enforcement partners using devolved powers to wheel clamp and impound unlicensed vehicles. In 2007/08 local authorities and police forces clamped over 30,000 unlicensed vehicles using these powers.
Richard Kitchen, Director of Policy and External Communications at DVLA, said:
“There is no excuse for not taxing your vehicle. These new powers will allow us to step up enforcement against drivers who think they can avoid the rules by parking their vehicle off the road.” (Source: DVLA Press)
Posted on October 9th, 2008 under Latest Car News.
In the current economic climate leasing cars is the way to go.
The country’s banking system is in complete and utter turmoil right now. For the last few years the economy has grown on credit that banks just didn’t have and now it is all coming tumbling down.
The banks, once the pillars in our financial world and household names are now bringing it all down with them. One of the main problems businesses are having right now is securing credit to cover day to day running costs. To have the cash flow in the accounts is important for surviving and paying important bills and with no credit facilities available businesses become choked.
The down turn in the economy has recently affected the motor industry with a fall in sales reported of around 5%. This downturn has had knock on effects for companies like Seat in Spain and a Ford in the UK, who have recently scaled down production at some of their plants.
America has struggled too with the gas guzzling vehicles they drive their falling from favour due to high oil prices. It was rumoured some time ago that one of the Big Three might collapse with signs coming from Chrysler selling off Hummer.
There is a way, however, to beat the credit crunch when purchasing cars in this current climate. Companies, in particular, will benefit who are struggling to raise working capital to fund day to day costs.
The answer: Leasing.
Using this method a company can spread the cost of a company car over the designated period and not have money tied up in assets which will depreciate rapidly. It also eliminates the need to fork out a large amount of cash in the first instance and spread the payments out.
Many fleet managers are now turning to the idea in this current economic crisis as a way of balancing out their cash-flow. In addition to these reasons newer cars are not only now more efficient so will reduce the company’s carbon emissions but they are also much safer. If a staff member is involved in a car accident they will be much safer in a newer vehicle.
These reasons also apply to the average customer buying for personal reasons. The car you want may require a loan or the cash upfront.
So in conclusion leasing is currently becoming the more popular than buying outright as the principle suits the current financial market. Despite all the doom and gloom about people not buying cars some people seem to be doing OK. The new Ferrari California is a complete sell-out so someone’s still buying.
Posted on October 8th, 2008 under Latest Car News.
This years Volvo Ocean Race is underway and the next event has already been announced.
This years Volvo Ocean Race is already underway but before it has finished they have announced the details of the next race over 2011-12. This is the first time that they have done this in direct response to crews who wish to start planning for the event in advance.
This years event has already got off to a great start with some port races in Alicante, Spain. The first in-port race was won by Telefonica Blue and the fleet will set sail for Capoe Town on Saturday October 11.
The Volvo Open 70 Class, the world’s fastest monohull, which made its record-breaking race debut in 2005-06, will again be the class for 2011-12. The aim is to ensure further reliability and contain costs while maintaining the Volvo Open 70’s status as the most technically-advanced ocean racing yacht.
The announcement was made at a press conference in Alicante. Knut Frostad, the CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race, was joined in unveiling plans for the 2011-12 event by Leif Johansson, President and CEO Volvo Group.
“I am pleased that we can today announce that the next Volvo Ocean Race (formerly The Whitbread Round the World Race) will start in 2011,” Frostad said. “To be able to grow our event and continue to attract the very best sailors in the world, we need to ensure continuity.
“One of our key objectives today is to start the planning process as early as possible for the next race. This is essential for all the teams and partners involved.”
Leif Johansson said that Volvo was delighted to be embarking on another chapter of the world’s most prestigious offshore sailing event.
“The Volvo Ocean Race is in many ways amazing. Like no other sports event it brings together the toughest of challenges and team performance. It’s also truly global and reflects the ever ongoing changes in our society. To me that’s a combination hard to beat,” he said.
His words were echoed by Stephen Odell, President and CEO Volvo Car Corporation. “I’m very pleased to announce already at this stage our commitment to enable another round-the-world Volvo Ocean Race sailing event,” he said.
“The race is very successful in increasing brand awareness all over the world and ensure new customers experience our fantastic product range.” (Source: Volvo Media)
For more information on how to lease a Volvo then please follow the link below:
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Posted on October 8th, 2008 under Latest Car News.
Ford release new range of personalisation for the Ford Ka.
In our western society everyone is an individual and is free to express themselves in any manner they wish. Without retribution i could freely voice my opinions about the current parliment or governing bodies.
With capitalism failing in a big way and nationalisation taking place and the state taking over our civil liberties, Ford have come up with a way for the average Proletarian to express themselves as an individual:
Lease a Ford Ka.
At this years Paris Motor Show Ford have unveiled a newe range of personalised themes to help the Ka owner stand out from the crowd. The new themes are called; Digital, Grand Prix and Tattoo.
The Digital theme involves a ‘vibrant street fashion style’ as Ford put it, using high contrasting colours on a bright green base. Like something Dizzy Rascal might wear. The exterior pack involves solid green grille surround and patterned body stripes, while the interior is dramatic yet co-ordinated from the mats to the head rests.
The Grand Prix theme takes it influence from the motor racing world with exciting external features such as door caps, modified grille, sparkling white alloys and a rear spoiler. Outside there is a giant checkered flag theme which is continued inside and stiched into the seats and integrated into the panels.
The Tattoo theme is a more fashionable and fun design with an artistic heart behind it. The exterior feature a large tattoo logo on the roof with matching symbols around the fenders. The tattoo emblem in continued inside with it stiched into features and, with optional leather seats, engraved into the headrests.
There are also a complete range of additional extras so drivers can further personalise their own vehicles. With a selection of alloys, leather trimmings and chrome inserts for example there is plenty of choice.
“The new Ford Individual range for the Ka provides customers with a very attractive choice of high quality, factory fitted parts to customise their vehicle,” said Bernhard Mattes, Vice President of the Customer Service Division, Ford of Europe. “Using its bold design as their starting point, our designers have created a unique selection of features for the cheeky new Ka, giving owners an expressive array of interior and exterior options.”
OK, so maybe Ford weren’t that bothered about the Red Army striding through London but if you want to remain an individual in this world then the Ford Ka is a good choice.
Although these won’t be available to lease just yet for more information on how to lease a Ford Ka then please follow the link below:
Ford Ka Leasing
Posted on October 8th, 2008 under Latest Car News.
